Winter X-Games Europe 2012

The winter season is going out with a bang. Then again, it always does. The Winter X-Games Europe is the perfect way to close what has been a memorable season. The lineup is packed with world-class talent as you'd expect, with the likes of Shaun White, Kelly Clark, Seb Toutant and Kaya Turski hitting up Tignes, France. So between 14th and 16th March, we recommend you switch off your mobile phone, cancel that meeting and watch in awe as the pros tear it up. Here's what to expect...

Snowboard Preview

The Men's SuperPipe is set to be the best we've even seen at Winter X-Games Europe. Familiar face Shaun White is the favourite to take glory in what will be an incredibly tight contest. Iouri Podlatchikov (or "I-Pod", as he's known) finished as runner-up at in Winter X-Games 2012 out in the US. Expect them both to fly. Literally. Then there's the Men's Slopestyle. It's going to be a close-run thing, but Canadian Seb Toutant is probably the slight favourite. It won't be easy for "Seb Toots" though, and he'll face tough competition from the likes of Arnette pro Sage Kostenburg and team-mate Torstein Horgmo.

Kelly Clark has dominated practically every contest she's been in this year, and walked away with gold at the World Snowboarding Championships in February. She'll be riding in the Women's SuperPipe final, and we can't wait to see her in action. Clark also took gold at the Winter X-Games 2012 in Aspen, so she's the clear favourite to take gold in Tignes. The Women's Slopestyle won't disappoint either. Jamie Anderson has been in fine form of late, winning gold in the Winter X-Games in Aspen in January. The Electric rider faces a fight for glory, with Spencer O'Brien also expected to make the podium.

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    Ski Preview

    On the ski front, competition will be absolutely fierce. The Men's Slopestyle will be a crowd-pleaser, with the likes of Andreas Hatveit, Henrik Harlaut and Bobby Brown dropping into Tignes. Brown will also have to watch out for in-form an Tom Wallisch and Oakley's Jossi Wells as he chases that gold medal. Big things are expected from Canada's Kaya Turski, who's been in fine form this season. Then again, you'd have to be brave to rule out either Bolle duo Ashley Battersby or Anna Segal from snatching the gold in the Women's Slopestyle.

    Probably the hardest event to call is the Men's SuperPipe. Kevin Rolland was the big favourite to take Winter X-Games glory in Aspen, but he slipped a little and only managed fourth. This blew the field wide open. David Wise might well edge it in terms of form, with his gold medal in Aspen still fresh in the memory of his rivals. The Women's SuperPipe is set to go off. Choosing between who's the likely winner is nigh on impossible with such a world-class lineup. Canadian Roz Groenwoud will certainly be expecting to challenge for glory, as will Virginie Faivre and Devin Logan. We can't wait to watch all of the athletes at Winter X-Games Europe take Tignes by storm. Sparks will certainly fly.

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